Mending Embrace

This originally started out as a comic about how R.J. was diagnosed with autism, but I realized I didn't know the specifics of how one is diagnosed (even though I went through those tests myself ).

So instead this slowly morphed into the day that Wesley found out R.J. had Asperger's
This was actually kind of weird/interesting to draw, because I've never drawn R.J. so shaken up before.
I mean, I've imagined him being so, but I don't think I've ever actually drawn him like that.
I used to be scared of admiting to people that I had Asperger's too.
In fact, I still don't.
It's not that I'm ashamed to have it.
Hell, I love having it, weird as that may sound.
But the problem is that most people think of autism and mental disorder and immediately start thinking you're either handicapped in some way or that you're not as intelligent as they are or that you're violent or some such crap.
So usually I avoid telling people until I know them very well and can trust them to see past the stereotypes

I think R.J. would be more guarded about it though. Even though he's very based off of me in terms of my autism and way of thinking, he hasn't had the same experiences as me.
The constant bullying doesn't help, and neither does the fact that his parents aren't with him very much (which is one reason some people get mad at the Brotherhood because family units aren't together very often).
So he'd be afraid that Wesley knowing about his disorder would have a bad effect on their relationship and would be terrified of Wesley finding out (though we see that Wesley doesn't care).

And oddly enough, I think this would be the moment that Wesley realizes he's in love with R.J. (hopefuly you can gather it from the dialogue).
I guess it seems like an odd moment. I mean, R.J.'s sobbing his heart out and whatnot.
But I guess this sort've reassures Wesley of R.J.'s humanity. That he has a tender side that Wesley can protect

BTW this happens when they're still bros

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this.

BlueJay (c) me